Hillary Clinton's push for stricter gun control met criticisms from Donald Trump, who said that denying people their rights to have guns would make families less safe. Just recently, the former secretary of state fired back at the Republican Party's presumptive nominee and turned back the issue of peace towards his controversial campaign.
Last Friday, Clinton appeared at a National Rifle Association, or NRA, event for the Trayvon Martin Foundation's Circle of Mothers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event was attended by mothers who have lost their sons and daughters to gun violence.
Safety Of Families
During the event, the Democratic frontrunner cited family safety as the basis of her stance about stricter gun control and overhauling the U.S. criminal justice system, the New York Times wrote. Clinton mentioned Trump's latest promise, which includes allowing principals and teachers to arm themselves with guns at school. She said Trump's plans will only fuel the country's gun violence epidemic, and will inspire more hatred and violence among people.
Clinton said she will implement stronger background checks on gun buyers if she becomes elected as president. She also vowed to create more measures that will ensure guns will not fall to dangerous hands.
Trump's Rebuttal
The NRA, which has 5 million members, is endorsing Trump, Aol News reported. Some members, however, questioned the NRA board's endorsement.
In his speech before NRA members in Louisville, Kentucky, Trump described Clinton as "the most anti-gun, anti-Second Amendment candidate ever to run for office," as per the New York Times. He said Clinton's policies would endanger women the most especially those who are living in dangerous communities. Clinton, meanwhile, said she will not indulge in the nation's gun lobby.
"Unlike Donald Trump, I will not pander to the gun lobby. We will not be silenced and we will not be intimidated." —Hillary
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 22, 2016
Gun control is one of the central issues tackled by the Clinton campaign. In the past months, Clinton has campaigned alongside the mothers of gun control victims like Eric Garner, Jordan Davis and Sandra Bland, among others. Her campaign also featured Erica Smegielski, the daughter of the principal shot during the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012.
How Americans Respond To Gun Control
In January, a poll conducted by the New York Times and CBS News found that 57 percent of Americans favor stricter laws regarding gun purchases. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents want background checks for those buying guns.
Democrats in the California Senate are pushing stricter gun control bills, ABC News reported. California already has tough gun laws, but last year's terrorist attack in San Bernardino prompted lawmakers to increase measures.
